Jordanian blogger Hamzeh has unleashed his anger at the Jordanian deputies who showed support for Zarqawi by posting this powerful image.
Meanwhile, Roba is disappointed by the lack of female protesters at the sit-in that took place today in front of Parliament. For sure, Zarqawi’s death and its repercussions have galvanized the Jordanian blogoshpere.
“It should be much clearer now that the IAF does NOT have Jordan’s interests at heart,”
I would not go as far as saying that. that’s one hasty generalization and the IAF MPs statements are not treason, because they along with most Jordanians (want to condemnt them too?) do not belive the official story as to who is behind the terror attacks in Jordan. the fact is, the two key parties which say Zarqawi is behind the attacks are the parties that have been threated directly by him: US and our regime. If lets say Swedish or Japanese UN investigators investigators say Zarqawi is killing innocents, chances are most Jordanians and Arabs will belive them. But for the US and the regime to say so, I am afraid very few people have faith in them. Both are known to tarnish the reputations of those who threaten them. i think zarqawi is a sick man . but i also don’t buy ANYTHING that comes from the US or a non-democratic official press or any press that operates in a coercive environment.
please remember how it all started with our close alliance with the US invasion of Iraq. the IAF did not throw us into dangerous alliance with US and Israel against the wishes of the people, the IAF did not authorize the torture of Iraqis and others in Jordan and the openning of Jordan to US invasion troops which brough upon the terror revenge attacks. if there is culpability, I say the US and the regime have worked against the interest of Jordan more than any other party.
There are concerns floating about over the government’s support/allowance of today’s protests at Parliament. Some ask, “Why does the government allow this when it doesn’t allow other protests?” Blogger Nas pointed out on one blog that during the Intifada, the government did allow/support protests and that it did again allow protests during/after Jenin. It does and has allowed a number of protests that are not necessarily in-line with government policy.
One of the reasons IAF-sponsored protests often face government resistance/pressure/closure is simply because often IAF sponsored protests speak of, either implicitly or explicitly, the downfall of the Jordanian government. The protests Nas made mention of and others illustrate that people in Jordan can protest against things other than what the government explicitly wants; the old “Gov’t is with Israel” vs. “the people against Israel” scenario. But there are two caveats.
First, when protests tend to veer into territory that threatens the state (and history can clearly provide the evidence), such as IAF sponsored events, the state is hesitant to allow them and unlikely to provide open support. Jordan is not a democracy; one day perhaps. But even in a full-blown democracy, it makes people a bit uneasy when those protesting are working towards the downfall of the state (however, they represent that “downfall”).
Second, it must be noted that Jordan is a nation where the state and it’s control/hold of things are at best “shaky,” perhaps due to the actions of the IAF. So, it should come as no surprise that IAF/Brotherhood protests are not welcomed while protests like those today at Parliament are. To welcome the venom of the IAF would truly be akin to putting a snake into your own bed. Many might’ve argued against this logic prior to these most recent events, believing in their hearts that the IAF had the good of the kingdom foremost on their minds.
It should be much clearer now that the IAF does NOT have Jordan’s interests at heart, a thought worth noting when considering the recent Hamas debacle. The IAF is interested only in the furtherance of the IAF. The question now really is, in the construction of a state, do you tolerate the presence of snakes? Do you allow acts that border on treason? What would the reaction be in “democratic” states if representatives in their respective governments, say Spain, the UK or the USA, supported the acts of terrorists. Ask yourself this the next time you consider supporting the IAF.
I love the ad. this is the best way to respond (keeping Fyrouze’s comments in mind), with creative means. BUT PLEASE LET US NOT REGRESS into backward way of thinking.
These IAF guys have committed a terrible offense, but not a crime. This is a test for those who belive in freedom of expression. free speech counts when people say things you don’t like, not just when they say things you like. I say those MPs should hear our firm but polite condemntations loud and clear and they should be booted out of office next elections. but the arrests and the threats of violence against them shows we are no better than any backward country. DO YOU BELIVE IN LIBERAL SECULAR DEMOCRACY OR YOU JUST LIKE TO SAY YOU DO. this is a test for Jordan and I say lets not give up the tiny gains in freedom of speech because of their likes.
Hamzeh,
No problem 🙂
I have grown sensitive when an Iraqi ethnic or religious group is excluded in such situations. We’re all Iraqis.
Fayrouz, no it doesn’t mean that. I think it would have probably been better if I said “the fallen innocent in Jordan and Iraq”. My sincere apologies for not doing that.
The fallen innocent Jordanians and Muslims in Iraq
Does that mean it’s OK to kill Iraqi Christians, Iraqi Sabaa and Iraqi Yazidis? Just a thought since my relatives don’t fall under Iraqi Muslims.
As an art-lover, or rather the visual representation one…
I really liked this image, I think it’s quite powerful as
you said and ventilates our feelings towards these men.
I was afraid of his death’s repercussions and consequences
they were inevitable, but thank goodness they didn’t come
in worst forms.
LOL Jareer, Jeff, I’m afraid that’s where my artistic skills stop, unless you’ll still be happy if I use stick figures in the poster 😀
LOL a la FBI eh Jareer? We should pass that along to Hamzeh. Maybe he could also fire up some kind of Top 10 wanted list.
Can you please post imaginary pictures for those with scarfs and beards in case they shaved and took off the scarfs; likewise, pictures of the other too with imaginary beards and scarfs, in case they decided to desgise and hide who they look like ! Just wondering !